Journey from Bangladesh

Zerin Firoze will speak to us about her journey out of Bangladesh in 2016.

Zerin Firoze is an outspoken Ex-Muslim and Bengali atheist.  She is an advocate for secularism in Bangladesh.  She has fearlessly spoken out against extremism in spite of the threats against her life.  Despite the deadly attacks against secularists in Bangladesh, Zerin has used her real name and photos on social media while continuing to fight against Islamic extremism.   In 2015 alone, six prominent atheist and secular bloggers were killed by armed gangs.  Since the outbreak of violence, the government has done little to protect outspoken atheists, including the 84 Bangladeshis who appeared on a “hit list” published by the group “Defenders of Islam.”

Zerin also had to struggle a lot for her education, and that is why she is a fierce advocate for women’s rights.  In 2016, Zerin fled the violence and threats to her life in Bangladesh, and is currently living in the United States.  She is an international student, majoring in nursing, as well as seeking asylum in the United States.